OBSERVED: I was out camping on Vancouver Island near the Strathcona Park on the Port Alberni side of the mid mountain range of the island. Just before dark I heard a loud crashing noise coming up the creek towards my camp, the first such noise I had heard in 3 weeks of camping.

I thought it was a bear. I didn't have my rifle with me so I made a lot of noise, banging pots and pans together. The "bear" went away.

In about 10 minutes or so a loud drawn out scream of came from across the lake.

I've been a woods man all of my life. I'm 54 and was 51 at the time. I am familiar with the various animals on the Island, and what they sound like. I have never heard that sound before or since.

OTHER WITNESSES: I was alone that day

OTHER STORIES: Many from the local loggers.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: Twilight, clear and cold

ENVIRONMENT: High Alpine Forest heavy bush

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Blaine McMillan :

From a conversation with the witness I can add the following information:

He had been out camping for several weeks. He has camped in these mountains before. He's familiar with the sounds of the local (known) wildlife.

When he began banging his cooking pots to scare it away, the crashing sounds were less than 100 yards away.